ANNUAL REPORT The following American Equity annual reports are available online in PDF format: 2002 (1.8 mb) 2001 (2.8 mb) Note: Due to the large file sizes, you may experience a long download time if you have a slow internet connection.   To view these files you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download it for free here.   SEC FILINGS American Equity's most recent Securities and Exchange Commission filings are listed below.   2003 10Q form — 9/30/2003 (92k) 10Q form — 6/30/2003 (183k) 10Q form — 3/31/2003 (166k) 2002 10K form — 12/31/2002 (383k) 10Q form — 9/30/2002 (174k) 10Q form — 6/30/2002 (160k) 10Q form — 3/31/2002 (164k) 2001 10K form — 12/31/2001 (358k) To view these files you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download it for free here.   INVESTOR CONTACT American Equity's investor contact is Debra J. Richardson, Senior Vice President. You may reach Debra by phone at (515) 457-1704 or by e-mail drichardson@american-equity.com   STOCK TRANSFER AGENT American Equity acts as its own transfer agent. The Company maintains the official shareholder records. As transfer agent, the Company is responsible for the efficient transfer of the Company's stock, including the maintenance of shareholder records and the cancellation and issuance of stock certificates. A stock transfer is required whenever the registration of stock certificate is changed. Please contact Debra Richardson for any questions you may have regarding the transfer of your stock.   ANNUAL MEETING American Equity's Annual Meeting of Shareholders is held in late May or early June. This meeting is held to elect members of the board of directors and transact other business which is properly brought before the meeting. We encourage all shareholders to have their shares represented at the meeting by voting via proxy or in person.   PROXY AND PROXY STATEMENT Within 45 days of the annual meeting, shareholders will receive a proxy statement and proxy card. The proxy statement includes the date, time and location of the annual meeting and describes the items to be considered. We ask that you mark your ballot, sign and return your proxy card as soon as possible, whether you plan to attend the meeting or not. Each share of American Equity's common stock that you own represents one vote. Returning your card promptly ensures that your shares are fully represented at the meeting.   STOCK CERTIFICATES Stock certificates are very valuable documents. They represent ownership in American Equity and should be carefully protected. Please keep your certificates in a secure place, such as a bank deposit box, where they will be protected from loss, theft or destruction. Do not endorse your certificates until you are ready to sell or transfer shares. A certificate that is signed without designating the person or firm to whom the stock is being transferred becomes negotiable and can easily be sold if lost or stolen.   LOST CERTIFCATES If you do lose your stock certificate it can be replaced. You will need to contact Debra Richardson at (515) 457-1704 and request a "stop transfer" on the certificate, which may help prevent the unauthorized transfer of your stock. The Company will then send you the necessary documents to have the stock certificate replaced. If you find your missing certificate(s) before the replacement is issued, please notify Debra Richardson so that the stop transfer order can be rescinded.   ADDRESS CHANGES Report any change of address promptly to Debra Richardson (515) 457-1704. This will minimize the possibility of any delay in receiving information regarding the Company. When reporting an address change please include the exact name in which the stock is registered and your taxpayer identification number.